Shinde Sena leaders to meet Fadnavis, seek probe into Jarange audio clip

Manoj Jarange Patil today released an audio clip that caused a stir across the state. The clip makes several shocking allegations, ranging from a Rs 500 crore charge to conspiracies hatched to vitiate the atmosphere in the state.

Following the clip, the Shinde camp has taken a major decision. A delegation of senior leaders of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at 7 pm today. They will demand an inquiry into the clip at the meeting. All eyes are therefore on the meeting.

The alleged clip claims that Eknath Shinde took Rs 500 crore from the BJP to give to Manoj Jarange. It also says the money was routed through Shrikant Shinde. This claim has heated up the political atmosphere.

The Shinde camp has denied all the allegations. It wants a thorough inquiry into the matter. Its leaders will therefore meet the Chief Minister today and demand an inquiry into the clip.

Shinde camp MP Naresh Mhaske also reacted to the matter. He said Manoj Jarange should approach a forensic laboratory. Mhaske said that if Jarange makes such a demand, the state government will investigate the matter. He said Eknath Shinde never asks anyone to fight against anyone, as it is not in his nature. "We always respect Jarange, but our demand is that all of this be investigated," he said. Mhaske warned: "We are Eknath Shinde's workers, so if anyone speaks against him, we will give a fitting reply."

BJP leader Nitesh Rane also put forth his stand in a tweet on the issue. He asked whether taking money from one person and giving Rs 500 crore to another amounts to proof just because someone says so. Rane said that in every tea stall in Konkan there is daily talk of so-and-so taking money and so-and-so giving it. It makes no difference to the speaker or to the listener, he said, because it is something heard from someone else.

Criticising Jarange Patil, Nitesh Rane said he should have kept some humanity and shame alive in himself. The state is now watching what stand Chief Minister Fadnavis takes at the evening meeting.